Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today launched the School Support Organization selection process. Principals, working with teachers and parents, have until May 1 to pick the organizations that will provide them with instructional services—from professional development for teachers to intervention services—for the next two years. Starting today, principals, teachers, and others in school communities can access information on the Department of Education Web site about 11 School Support Organizations. Principal satisfaction ratings and progress made by schools that have worked with each School Support Organization since September 2007 are also on the Web site. The Department of Education launched School Support Organizations two years ago to enable principals to select the support that best meets their schools’ needs.
“It’s not surprising that principals have been tremendously satisfied with School Support Organizations so far,” Chancellor Klein said. “Rather than making decisions for all schools centrally, we have empowered each school to explore the supports available and determine which option best addresses the needs of staff and students. Principals should discuss the choices with parents, teachers, and other members of their school communities during the selection period.”
Schools may choose to continue working with their current School Support Organizations or to switch to another. Five School Support Organizations—the Community Learning Support Organization (LSO), the Integrated Curriculum and Instruction LSO, the Knowledge Network LSO, the Leadership LSO, and Empowerment Support Organization—are operated by the Department of Education. The remaining six School Support Organizations—Academy for Educational Development, Center for Educational Innovation-Public Education Association, City University of New York for School Support and Success, Fordham University Partnership Support Organization, New Visions for Public Schools, and Replications, Inc.—are run by non-profit organizations with extensive and successful experience supporting schools and communities. The private support organizations were selected through a competitive request for proposals process. Each School Support Organization sets its own cost. Schools purchase the organizations’ services with discretionary funding that is part of their budgets. Many School Support Organizations are offering reduced prices or less expensive options than two years ago.
After the School Support Organization matching process is completed in May, schools in larger School Support Organizations will affiliate into networks of about 20 schools that share instructional priorities and a similar educational approach. Each network of schools works with a team of up to five dedicated network staff members to further student performance goals. Based on principal demand, at least one network of schools in most School Support Organizations will be a “Children First Network.” Children First Networks are supported by a team of 13 dedicated staff members, who provide operational as well as academic support to schools. Schools that are not part of a Children First Network will continue to receive operational support from a borough-based Integrated Service Center.
Before choosing a School Support Organization, principals should have conversations with staff, parents, and other community members about their satisfaction with their current School Support performance and, if appropriate, other options. Principals are also required to engage in meaningful and informed consultation with their School Leadership Teams before selecting School Support Organizations. Principals’ selections will be subject to approval by the Community District Superintendent or High School Superintendent.
To learn more about School Support Organizations, click here.